Charizard was originally obtained as a {{p|Charmander}} in ''[[EP011|Charmander – The Stray Pokémon]]''. The Charmander was abandoned by [[Damian]], and Ash and {{ashfr|his friends}} found and nurtured it back to health. Charmander then chose to join Ash. It was immediately one of Ash's most used Pokémon, defeating such opponents as a {{p|Golem}}, a {{p|Jynx}}, [[Koga]]'s {{p|Golbat}}, [[Erika]]'s {{p|Weepinbell}}, and a {{AP|Primeape}} (which Ash subsequently captured).

Charizard was originally obtained as a {{p|Charmander}} in ''[[EP011|Charmander – The Stray Pokémon]]''. The Charmander was abandoned by [[Damian]], and Ash and {{ashfr|his friends}} found and nurtured it back to health. Charmander then chose to join Ash. It was immediately one of Ash's most used Pokémon, defeating such opponents as a {{p|Golem}}, a {{p|Jynx}}, [[Koga]]'s {{p|Golbat}}, [[Erika]]'s {{p|Weepinbell}}, and a {{AP|Primeape}} (which Ash subsequently captured).

Charmander [[Evolution|evolved]] into {{p|Charmeleon}} in ''[[EP043|March of the Exeggutor Squad]]'' and quickly lost its loyalty to Ash, attacking a {{p|Paras}} when Ash was trying to deliberately lose in order to help Paras evolve (''[[EP044|The Problem with Paras]]''). A few episodes down the line, it evolved again into {{p|Charizard}} in ''[[EP046|Attack of the Prehistoric Pokémon]]'' to {{pkmn|battle}} an {{p|Aerodactyl}}. From the time of its becoming Charmeleon to the [[Pokémon: The Adventures in the Orange Islands|Orange Islands]] episode ''[[EP105|Charizard Chills]]'', Charizard refused to obey Ash, the only exception being when he decided to test his strength against [[Blaine]]'s powerful {{TP|Blaine|Magmar}} during Ash's attempts to win a {{Badge|Volcano}}. Charizard's disloyalty especially hurt Ash the most during the [[Indigo League]] championships, causing Ash to forfeit the fifth round when it refused to battle [[Ritchie]]'s {{p|Pikachu}}, [[Sparky]].

Charmander [[Evolution|evolved]] into {{p|Charmeleon}} in ''[[EP043|March of the Exeggutor Squad]]'' and quickly lost its loyalty to Ash, attacking a {{p|Paras}} when Ash was trying to deliberately lose in order to help Paras evolve (''[[EP044|The Problem with Paras]]''). A few episodes down the line, it evolved again into {{p|Charizard}} in ''[[EP046|Attack of the Prehistoric Pokémon]]'' to {{pkmn|battle}} an {{p|Aerodactyl}}. From the time of its becoming Charmeleon to the [[Pokémon: The Adventures in the Orange Islands|Orange Islands]] episode ''[[EP105|Charizard Chills]]'', Charizard refused to obey Ash, the only exception being when he decided to test his strength against [[Blaine]]'s powerful {{TP|Blaine|Magmar}} during Ash's attempts to win a {{Badge|Volcano}}. Charizard's disloyalty especially hurt Ash the most during the [[Indigo League]] championships, causing Ash to forfeit the fifth round when it refused to battle [[Ritchie]]'s {{p|Pikachu}}, [[Sparky]].

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===Orange Islands===

Before ''[[EP105|Charizard Chills]]'' Charizard was still disobedient towards Ash. In the episode ''[[EP093|Navel Maneuvers]]'', Charizard, {{AP|Pikachu}} and Bulbasaur were used in the second round of the match between Ash and [[Danny]]. Charizard was initially unwilling to participate, and Danny nearly won. However, Charizard unwillingly helped when it tried to use {{m|Flamethrower}} on Ash but missed and carved an ice pillar into a sled. This meant Ash won the round and was able to continue the match.

Before ''[[EP105|Charizard Chills]]'' Charizard was still disobedient towards Ash. In the episode ''[[EP093|Navel Maneuvers]]'', Charizard, {{AP|Pikachu}} and Bulbasaur were used in the second round of the match between Ash and [[Danny]]. Charizard was initially unwilling to participate, and Danny nearly won. However, Charizard unwillingly helped when it tried to use {{m|Flamethrower}} on Ash but missed and carved an ice pillar into a sled. This meant Ash won the round and was able to continue the match.

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It participated in Ash's Gym battle against [[Luana]], where it fought Luana's {{p|Alakazam}} and {{p|Marowak}} alongside Ash's Pikachu in the series' first [[double battle]]. The two Pokémon initially had trouble collaborating, but eventually managed to work together: Pikachu helped to free Charizard from Alakazam's {{m|Psychic}} attack and Charizard caught Pikachu after it was hit by Marowak's {{m|Body Slam}} attack. Charizard was also used in Ash's Orange League battle against {{OBP|Drake|Orange League}}. Charizard defeated Drake's {{p|Electabuzz}} and also fought {{TP|Drake|Dragonite}} before it fainted.

It participated in Ash's Gym battle against [[Luana]], where it fought Luana's {{p|Alakazam}} and {{p|Marowak}} alongside Ash's Pikachu in the series' first [[double battle]]. The two Pokémon initially had trouble collaborating, but eventually managed to work together: Pikachu helped to free Charizard from Alakazam's {{m|Psychic}} attack and Charizard caught Pikachu after it was hit by Marowak's {{m|Body Slam}} attack. Charizard was also used in Ash's Orange League battle against {{OBP|Drake|Orange League}}. Charizard defeated Drake's {{p|Electabuzz}} and also fought {{TP|Drake|Dragonite}} before it fainted.

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===Johto===

It participated in Ash's first Johto Gym battle against [[Falkner]], where it defeated Falkner's {{p|Pidgeot}} despite the latter's impressive {{stat|Speed}}. In ''[[EP134|Charizard's Burning Ambition]]'', Ash left his Charizard in the [[Charicific Valley]] with {{Jo|Liza}} to train and become more powerful. While there, it took the role of bodyguard for Liza's Charizard, [[Charla]], and the two seem to have struck up a [[ValleyShipping|romantic relationship]]. Liza occasionally visits the [[Dragon's Den|Dragon's Valley]] in [[Blackthorn City]] alongside the two Charizard. One such visit (''[[EP253|Great Bowls of Fire!]]'' and ''[[EP254|Better Eight Than Never]]'') coincidentally occurred when Ash was there for his final [[Johto]] gym battle, resulting in Charizard helping Ash defeat [[Clair]]'s newly-evolved {{TP|Clair|Dragonair}} in his rematch with her by causing the water in the gym's pool to evaporate with its {{m|Flamethrower}} and {{m|Fire Spin}}, thus depriving Dragonair of its protection.

It participated in Ash's first Johto Gym battle against [[Falkner]], where it defeated Falkner's {{p|Pidgeot}} despite the latter's impressive {{stat|Speed}}. In ''[[EP134|Charizard's Burning Ambition]]'', Ash left his Charizard in the [[Charicific Valley]] with {{Jo|Liza}} to train and become more powerful. While there, it took the role of bodyguard for Liza's Charizard, [[Charla]], and the two seem to have struck up a [[ValleyShipping|romantic relationship]]. Liza occasionally visits the [[Dragon's Den|Dragon's Valley]] in [[Blackthorn City]] alongside the two Charizard. One such visit (''[[EP253|Great Bowls of Fire!]]'' and ''[[EP254|Better Eight Than Never]]'') coincidentally occurred when Ash was there for his final [[Johto]] gym battle, resulting in Charizard helping Ash defeat [[Clair]]'s newly-evolved {{TP|Clair|Dragonair}} in his rematch with her by causing the water in the gym's pool to evaporate with its {{m|Flamethrower}} and {{m|Fire Spin}}, thus depriving Dragonair of its protection.

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Ash later used Charizard in the [[Silver Conference]] during his fight against [[Gary Oak]] in ''[[EP270|Can't Beat the Heat!]]'' (during which it decisively defeated [[Gary's Blastoise]] despite the type disadvantage and having already defeated Gary's {{p|Scizor}} and Golem). It was then used in Ash's fight against {{jo|Harrison}}, where it was defeated by [[Harrison's Blaziken]] after a tough fight despite it having a type advantage. However, Charizard injured Blaziken so badly that it couldn't fight the next day.

Ash later used Charizard in the [[Silver Conference]] during his fight against [[Gary Oak]] in ''[[EP270|Can't Beat the Heat!]]'' (during which it decisively defeated [[Gary's Blastoise]] despite the type disadvantage and having already defeated Gary's {{p|Scizor}} and Golem). It was then used in Ash's fight against {{jo|Harrison}}, where it was defeated by [[Harrison's Blaziken]] after a tough fight despite it having a type advantage. However, Charizard injured Blaziken so badly that it couldn't fight the next day.

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===Kanto Battle Frontier===

Charizard can be called upon at any time. In ''[[AG136|The Symbol Life]]'', it returned for Ash's first {{Gdis|Battle Frontier|III}} battle, where it took on [[Noland's Articuno]] at the {{DL|Battle Frontier (Generation III)|Battle Factory}}. Despite Articuno's effort and use of {{m|Water Pulse}}, Charizard won by using {{m|Overheat}}, which it had just learned; using the unorthodox strategy of catching Articuno as it tried to use {{m|Steel Wing}}; and using its trademark move, {{m|Seismic Toss}}.

Charizard can be called upon at any time. In ''[[AG136|The Symbol Life]]'', it returned for Ash's first {{Gdis|Battle Frontier|III}} battle, where it took on [[Noland's Articuno]] at the {{DL|Battle Frontier (Generation III)|Battle Factory}}. Despite Articuno's effort and use of {{m|Water Pulse}}, Charizard won by using {{m|Overheat}}, which it had just learned; using the unorthodox strategy of catching Articuno as it tried to use {{m|Steel Wing}}; and using its trademark move, {{m|Seismic Toss}}.

Orange Islands

Before Charizard Chills Charizard was still disobedient towards Ash. In the episode Navel Maneuvers, Charizard, Pikachu and Bulbasaur were used in the second round of the match between Ash and Danny. Charizard was initially unwilling to participate, and Danny nearly won. However, Charizard unwillingly helped when it tried to use Flamethrower on Ash but missed and carved an ice pillar into a sled. This meant Ash won the round and was able to continue the match.

After Charizard Chills, it became one of Ash's most reliable Pokémon, and has been considered his strongest. In this episode, Charizard was frozen by Tad's Poliwrath's Ice Beam; Ash stayed up all night trying to thaw it out and, in the process, reminded Charizard of everything Ash had done for it since it was a Charmander. Charizard's respect for and loyalty to Ash returned overnight.

It participated in Ash's Gym battle against Luana, where it fought Luana's Alakazam and Marowak alongside Ash's Pikachu in the series' first double battle. The two Pokémon initially had trouble collaborating, but eventually managed to work together: Pikachu helped to free Charizard from Alakazam's Psychic attack and Charizard caught Pikachu after it was hit by Marowak's Body Slam attack. Charizard was also used in Ash's Orange League battle against Drake. Charizard defeated Drake's Electabuzz and also fought Dragonite before it fainted.

Ash later used Charizard in the Silver Conference during his fight against Gary Oak in Can't Beat the Heat! (during which it decisively defeated Gary's Blastoise despite the type disadvantage and having already defeated Gary's Scizor and Golem). It was then used in Ash's fight against Harrison, where it was defeated by Harrison's Blaziken after a tough fight despite it having a type advantage. However, Charizard injured Blaziken so badly that it couldn't fight the next day.

Charizard also battled alongside Squirtle, Bulbasaur, and Pikachu in a four-on-four battle against Brandon's Pokémon in Gathering the Gang of Four!, but despite a good fight, it was defeated by Brandon's Dusclops.

Despite this difference, Ash is still seen owning a Charmander, which first appears in You Gotta Have Friends. Charmander's capture is not shown in the manga, instead, it is explained that "Ash has been busy since the last comic!" when Charmander first appears from its Poké Ball.

Later in the manga, Ash's Charmander reappears as a Charizard. In the manga, Charizard is much more violent, and can normally only be calmed by a torch that Ash carries around, which contains a flame from Moltres.

In The Indigo Finals, during Ash's battle against Ritchie, both Trainers send out a Charizard as their last Pokémon. Ash's Charizard goes berserk and severely injures Ritchie's, to the point that it's shown bleeding heavily from multiple wounds. Overwhelmed by guilt, Ash leaves the arena, thus forfeiting the battle even though he technically won. It is later mentioned that Ritchie's Charizard will be okay.

Trivia

Out of all of Ash's Pokémon, Charizard has used the most moves, a total of 15 (16 if the unused Mega Punch is counted).

During Tanks a Lot!, Brock mentioned that Charizard was male when saying that Charizard could use hisFlamethrower to destroy the Arbo-Tank, but since this only occurred in the dub it is uncertain how dependable this information is. Further hints to Charizard's gender were applied with the introduction of Charla.

Charizard was the first of Ash's starter Pokémon to evolve to its final stage.